O.C. Koreatown Rally Supports Victims of Riot

Under a leaden sky, about 2,000 people gathered Saturday in the heart of Koreatown to appeal for racial harmony and vent anger at government officials who failed to quell the deadly Los Angeles riots.

The boisterous demonstrators, who broke often into cheers and chants, were silenced only when they bowed their heads in prayer for Edward Song Lee, an 18-year-old college freshman who was shot and killed when he tried to protect a merchant from looters.

“Today, we the Korean-Americans and citizens of Garden Grove are gathered here to express our anger and frustration,” said Tom Kim, President of the Korean American Assn. of Orange County. “We demand an immediate apology from responsible government and police officials.”

The rally, which was held in the parking lot of the Kyung Dong Plaza, a shopping center in the heart of Koreatown, drew mostly Korean-Americans. They waved small American or Korean flags and carried placards reading, “Korean-Americans Will Not Take Injustice,” “Justice for All Races” and “We Want Peace.”

The Korean-American population in Orange County has tripled in the past decade and is concentrated in Garden Grove. Many have moved from Los Angeles and some continue to conduct business there, but almost all have relatives and friends who felt effects of the violence.

“I have friends, and friends of friends, who were affected by the riots,” said Hee Sung Chough, 54, of Anaheim. “We’re all connected somewhere along the line.”

According to Korean-American leaders, the damage to Korean-owned businesses is as much as $300 million, and more than 850 businesses throughout Los Angeles were destroyed or damaged in the violence. The Koreatown area in Los Angeles was one of the hardest hit in the city.

Several speakers, representing different ethnic groups, expressed sympathy and support for the Korean-American community and urged all Americans to work toward an equitable, multicultural society.

“The United States is moving from a largely European to a multiracial society,” said Richard Goodman, chairman of the Orange County chapter of the American Jewish Committee.

“Asian/Pacific countries are the greatest source of immigration to the U.S. today, and the number of Asian-Americans, which already exceeds the number of American Jews, is expected to double in a decade,” Goodman said. “These changes challenge long-held ideas about America’s cultural identity, as well as its traditional economical and political ties to Europe, and they present a special opportunity.”

In Orange County, the number of Asians has tripled because of the tremendous influx of immigrants from Vietnam, Taiwan and Korea, and Asians are the fastest-growing segment of the population.

Phong Trang, vice president of the Vietnamese Community of Orange County, said: “Our Vietnamese community has suffered loss of life and property too. We should not let our emotions guide us into violence. Let us live in harmony. Our common cause is to be part of the American dream, to have a part of the American pie.”

State Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Garden Grove) described the riots as the most emotionally moving experience during his time in public office.

“We have an enormous amount of rebuilding to do, not just rebuilding buildings, but the social fabric,” Umberg said. “We must hold our elected officials responsible.”

Many signs echoed this sentiment, holding signs that said “Resign Reiner, Bradley and Gates,” in reference to Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates. More than 70 people registered to vote at tables set up near the speakers’ platform.

The spirit of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was evoked by several speakers.

“It was Dr. Martin Luther King who said a man is not measured by the color of his skin, but the content of his character,” said Calvin Nam, 30. “We demand justice for Mr. Rodney King. Freedom, liberty and justice for all Americans.”

Victims of the rioting also spoke.

“My (family’s) liquor store in Inglewood was hit the first night. We were there for 10 years and now 10 years of our life is gone,” said Bobby Park, 21, a student at Cal State Long Beach.

Ji Yun Lee, 43, of Cypress said that the windows of her Long Beach electronics shop had been smashed and the store emptied. “They took everything, everything, even things they could not use. What curse have we to deserve this?”

William Firebaugh, 60, of Laguna Hills said he attended the rally “to show support for Korean-Americans. I don’t think they’ve been getting a fair share of the support and the media.”

Chung Yi, 42, of Yorba Linda, who came with 15 family members, was disappointed by the orderly rally, which included performances by a children’s choir and a tae kwon do demonstration.

“I thought (the rally) was too quiet,” Yi said. “They should have been more angry. We have to voice our opinions. The police didn’t do a good job and the federal government should provide reparation for everyone, not just Korean-Americans, but for everyone.”

Cindy Choi, 29, of San Diego also felt the protest should have been more heated.

“As a citizen of the United States, I have my rights and the protection that comes with it. When my rights are not given to me, I want to raise my voice. I think anger is going to bring about more energy and change,” Choi said.

But the message of harmony, justice and a common dream was a repeating theme.

“I have a message for young Korean-Americans,” Nam told the crowd. “Our parents worked hard and risked their lives to raise us. We must help them rebuild their dreams. Tell them not to be sad or worry. We are here to help you and to keep your dream alive until we reach the promised land.”